Roberta Reads

Under the Knife: A History of Surgery in 28 Remarkable Operations by Arnold van de Laar My rating: 3 of 5 stars I love medical history, so I thought I would really enjoy this book. The introduction was the best bit for me. Unfortunately, the 28 operations did not seem to be in any kind of chronological order (I realise it would have been a little tricky, as most chapters have the whole history of the particular operation in, but some kind of chronological order would have helped me, as I don’t know that much about general history), and, for me, varied enormously from mostly tedious to reasonably interesting. I found that some chapters had what seemed to me superfluous historical detail that didn’t in any way relate to the operations, and almost none of them had enough detail about the operations and medical history. I guess it’s difficult to suit everyone’s tastes. I also found the author was disparaging about various things, breaking through the gen...

Rachel’s Pudding Pantry by Caroline Roberts My rating: 4 of 5 stars This was a great book, I really enjoyed it. The setting was excellent, I love books set on farms. I enjoyed the love story, the way Rachel and her family are fighting through their financial difficulties, and the traumatic time they went through a couple of years ago. SPOILERS AND TRIGGER WARNING BELOW THIS LINE: Trigger warning: suicide that happened in the past, but the discovery of which is described once. View all my reviews

101 Awesome women who transformed science by Claire Philip My rating: 5 of 5 stars I really wish this book had been around when I was a child, I would have loved it. I found it very enjoyable, it focusses on remarkable women in science from 2700BC to the present day. I really appreciated the fact that it was in chronological order (I’m also currently reading a history of medicine book that jumps about in time, and it is so confusing!). I would have enjoyed more detail on each of the women, but then there wouldn’t be room for so many! I can see this being an excellent book to read with a child (or let them read alone), particularly one who shows interest in science, maths and so on. You could then look up more information on the women, or the science, they were most interested in. The illustrations are lovely, and something I would have very much enjoyed as a child. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Vi...

No Judgements by Meg Cabot My rating: 4 of 5 stars This was a fun, light hearted romance, in spite of being set during a hurricane. Meg Cabot’s irreverent style of writing keeps things from getting too serious. I found it easy to read, and entertaining. The only thing I didn’t really like was Drew’s tendency towards violence and possessiveness. However, when Bree wanted to deal with her ex’s friend by herself he didn’t raise much of an objection, so that redeemed him a bit. I will look forward to the next book in the series. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews

A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan My rating: 5 of 5 stars Sarah Morgan has long been favourite author of mine, so I was excited to receive an ARC of her latest book. It certainly doesn’t disappoint. This book is funny, sad (though only a little), happy and heart warming. It is about a family whose members have got stuck in certain roles in the way they relate to one another, and how they overcome this to form new relationships with each other, now that the children are all adults. It is also about romance (of course). I laughed, I cried a little, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I recommend it. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews

Single All the Way by Karen King My rating: 1 of 5 stars This book was really not my cup of tea. From the cover and the title, I expected a fun, Christmassy book. Obviously, there would be some unhappiness near the beginning, as both women have split up from their husbands, but I expected some light hearted and fun parts later. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The majority of the book is spent with the two women reminiscing about how miserable they were and how they’d been betrayed, everyone being miserable, a number of angry conversations and a health scare. The book does have happy endings for everyone, but I read for enjoyment, and 90% of this book made me feel unhappy. I think perhaps if it were given a less jolly looking cover and title, it might be less different from expectations? I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews

The Little Shop on Silver Linings Street by Emma Davies My rating: 5 of 5 stars I’ve only read one book by Emma Davies before, but I loved it, so when I saw this one I snapped it up. It has all the same charm as The Beekeeper’s Cottage, but Emma Davies has excelled herself this time. Here’s a few reasons why: I love how you see characters from previous books, but you don’t need to have read them to enjoy this one. I love the beautiful scenery and atmosphere - the wonder of winter really comes across. I love the character development, particularly of Daisy, Kit and Bertie. This book seems happier to me, and I loved every relaxing minute of it. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a Christmas romance, with excellent character development. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews

Alone for the Holidays by Vivien Mayfair My rating: 1 of 5 stars This book was really not my cup of tea. I didn’t like Clara. At first I felt sorry for her, because she’s only a size 16 and all she thinks about is how overweight she is, how no one could ever be attracted to her; and Finn, the guy she met online and is lying to. She doesn’t want to eat anything unhealthy in front of him. To be honest, she seems depressed. Then suddenly, it’s all better because Finn wants to kiss her. It seems such a dangerous way to live, to have your self esteem totally wrapped up in a guy wanting you. Then, she tells him more lies! Next, she puts her dog outside in the freezing cold, just because she chases a stray cat and her books get messed up. This is the point when I started to really dislike her. I didn’t really feel the romance in this book - it all seemed far too quick. Obviously, that is the nature of a novella, but I have read some that I found more convin...

Death Beside the Seaside by T E Kinsey My rating: 5 of 5 stars I have not read any of the previous books in this series, but this one stands well enough on its own. I enjoyed this book a lot. Despite being a murder mystery, it is light hearted and silly. The joking between Lady Hardcastle and Florence is what makes the book. The cast of other characters are all well written. The whole book is amusing and the perfect kind of silly. I will definitely be reading the previous books in this series. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews

The Garden on Sparrow Street by Tilly Tennant My rating: 4 of 5 stars My favourite thing about this book is the friendship between Robyn and Nina. They are there for each other no matter what, which is lovely to see. I enjoyed this book, it is well written and has a great plot, with an ensemble cast, rather than just two main characters with a background cast. I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for a romance that reflects some of the complexities of real life, particularly second love, but still has the all important happy ending. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews

Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm by Jaimie Admans My rating: 5 of 5 stars This was a great book, totally my cup of tea. I love all the characters, I love the Christmas tree farm, and the sense of community in Elffield. I really enjoyed the humour between Noel and Leah, the way they slowly built up their relationship rather than just jumping into bed together. I love their passion for the Christmas tree farm and the local market, the way they (but Leah in particular) bring life back into it. You never know what you’re going to get when you select a book by an author you’ve not read before, but Jaimie Admans really hits the spot with Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews

The Mint Julep Murders by Angie Fox My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is the eighth book in the Southern Ghost Hunter series by Angie Fox. This series has become one of my favourites. This time around, Angie, Ellis and Frankie get stuck in a haunted mental hospital. This book was so much fun. The writing is of excellent quality, and the plot is really great - in spite of there being a relatively small number of suspects, I didn’t guess who it was right at the beginning. This book has all the usual elements that this series possesses - the humour, the sass between Verity and Frankie, the fun murder mystery. Highly recommended to anyone who loves a joyful murder mystery with a supernatural twist. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews

Spellcaster Academy: Magical Realism, Episode 1 by Jenetta Penner My rating: 3 of 5 stars AUDIOBOOK REVIEW This is the first episode in the Spellcaster Academy series. I enjoyed this audiobook. It seems like a fun introduction to what could be an interesting series. The balance of giving information about the world, but not giving too much away seems good. It is generally well written, the main characters seem likeable. My one criticism about the writing itself is the overuse of phrases like “my stomach roiled” and “my heart dropped to my stomach”, to the point where there’s at least one in every paragraph. Obviously, this is an adventurous book, but I prefer books that mix it up a bit, and sometimes describe the emotions instead of just the physical sensations. This may be more obvious in the audio version. The narration was good, the expression/emphasis is generally excellent. The character voices were very good, but I found the general narration s...

The Wizards of Once: Knock Three Times by Cressida Cowell My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is the third instalment of the Wizards of Once story. It contains all the joys of the previous instalments. There are many of moments of laughter, a lot of adventure and maybe one or two lessons about life. I enjoyed this book enormously. I loved Bodkin’s story in this book particularly. I think it’s great that none of the characters are obvious heroes, that they make mistakes, but at the end of the day they do their best. The illustrations are looking to be as wonderful as the previous two books (my copy is an ARC, so not all of the illustrations are there yet). I’d definitely recommend this to adults and children looking for a fun romp with unlikely heroes. View all my reviews

The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan My rating: 4 of 5 stars I really enjoyed this book. Jenny Colgan is a top ten author for me. The story is definitely a slow burn rather than a quick read, but so worth it. The romance takes a bit of a back seat to the story of the family over all. A wonderful story, happy ending. Definitely recommended! The only negative thing I noticed was the wrong character name being used twice. Luckily, I knew who it was meant to be from the context. View all my reviews

How To Marry A Werewolf by Gail Carriger My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is a wonderful story. The audiobook is very well read, expression spot on, accents excellent (and also understandable). Only a couple of words that seemed to be pronounced oddly to me - but then I’ve no idea how they would have been pronounced in that era! This audiobook always makes me cry. This is not something I normally desire in any story, but this is just such a beautiful, wonderful, heartwarming tale of romance and found family, that it is worth every tear. Plus werewolves! I strongly recommend it. View all my reviews

Twice Magic by Cressida Cowell My rating: 4 of 5 stars Another fun and beautifully illustrated adventure. I can’t wait to see what Wish and Xar get up to next. They do seem to be building up an increasing number of enemies! View all my reviews

The Christmas Invitation by Trisha Ashley My rating: 5 of 5 stars Trisha Ashley has been one of my favourite authors for nearly two decades now, so it is such a joy to relax back into another of her wonderful books. This particular book focuses on the untangling of the past of the Doome family and friends, over the course of one Christmas. The story is in no great hurry, and we get to meet all sorts of interesting and peculiar characters along the way. I love the way that Trisha Ashley writes, this is quite a long book, but it never lagged, because all the little bits of language - the descriptions, similes etc - are so delightful. There were many chuckles - I especially loved the little pride and prejudice bit. I very much enjoyed the atmosphere of extended loving family and the general Christmassy feel. I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for a heartwarming Christmas read, with a good few dashes of romance. I was lucky enough to receive a fre...

The Princess Who Flew With Dragons by Stephanie Burgis My rating: 5 of 5 stars A wonderful third instalment to this series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it’s great for children and adults alike. And the cover is beautiful. Highly recommended. View all my reviews

A Family by Christmas by Viv Royce My rating: 5 of 5 stars I loved this book, it is short for a novel, but sweet. I love the characters, I love Wood Creek, and the story is full of Christmas joy. The idea of Casey going into the chocolate shop and asking Emma to help her make her daddy happy again is lovely, and the row of shops on Heart Street sounds delightful. I can’t say much more without mentioning spoilers! I recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet, satisfying Christmas treat. It definitely hits the spot - like the chocolates that Emma crafts. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. View all my reviews

Murder Cuts the Mustard by Jessica Ellicott My rating: 3 of 5 stars This book made a nice break from all the romances I have been reading recently. It is a nice cozy crime set in 1921, in which two friends have recently set up a private enquiry agency. I enjoyed reading this story, although it contains murders, it is light hearted and easy to read. It is not as humorous as I prefer my cozy crime to be, but it is still good fun. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen My rating: 5 of 5 stars It was delightful to read Northanger Abbey again. As always, I appreciated all Jane Austen’s wit and gentle humour. It is particularly evident in this book, as it mocks the classic gothic novel. I greatly enjoyed reading Catherine’s story again. It is not surprising that such a young girl, with such a vivid imagination, should get carried away within walls of an actual Abbey. The new cover is very pretty, and shows how young Catherine is. Hopefully it will appeal to a new generation of young readers, allowing them to discover the enjoyment of reading Austen. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews

The Perfect Dress by Louisa Leaman My rating: 3 of 5 stars This book is not quite my usual fare, but I couldn’t resist the idea of dresses that pass their wisdom onto the next wearer. The story is good - the finding of a very special dress gradually leads to the unwinding of the pasts of both the dress, and the two main characters. The way the book is written is very atmospheric, and carries one along with the story. Whilst I did enjoy this book, it is not quite too my taste (slightly too emotional, and there aren’t any funny bits), so I won’t be reading it again. However, for anyone looking for an atmospheric tale of the redemptive power of love, this could be the book for you. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews

The Christmas Countdown by Donna Ashcroft My rating: 4 of 5 stars I really enjoyed this book. After discovering her sister kissing her boyfriend, Holly retreats to her aunt Clara’s house. Clara and her friends come up with an advent calendar of tasks to help cheer her up. Over the course of the book, Holly works out what she wants from life. Although it covers topics of recovering from grief and loss, it handles it well, without becoming too serious. I enjoyed the romance with Finn, as well as the cast of other characters. This was a fun and easy read. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews

The Binding by Bridget Collins My rating: 3 of 5 stars This book was really not my cup of tea. It is very well written, and a fascinating concept. However, there is far too much misery and horribleness for my taste. I’d recommend it if you like darkish, well written fantasy, but with a (presumed) happy ending. View all my reviews

Let It Snow by Sue Moorcroft My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is a wonderful book. I’ve avoid Sue Moorcroft books for a little while because I keep seeing them described as “emotional”, and I try to avoid too much emotion in my books. However, this one particularly appealed to me, so I took a chance. I’m so glad I did! The book is very well written. All the characters are well rounded out, no one seems two dimensional, even the minor characters. I loved every part of the plot, and it seemed much more like real life than a lot of the escapist romance books I read, BUT without being miserable! I really, really appreciated seeing ME/CFS (which I have) being shown as a real and serious disease. It was written about in a realistic and compassionate way, and some of the impact it has on both the sufferer and those who love them shown. It was honestly so wonderful and refreshing, so thank you to Sue Moorcroft! I could tell that this book is part of a series set...

Wisteria Witches by Angela Pepper My rating: 4 of 5 stars AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: This audiobook is a lot of fun. I love Zara’s quirky sense of humour, and her relationship with her daughter. The mystery plot is entertaining too. Tiffany’s narration really brings the story to life. Unfortunately, my download has been slightly corrupted so chapters 38 and 39, the volume randomly fluctuates. Hopefully when I delete and redownload that will be fixed. I look forward to listening to the next book. View all my reviews

The Papers of A.J. Wentworth, BA by H.F. Ellis My rating: 3 of 5 stars A mildly humorous collection of tales of a school master at a school for boys shortly before World War Two. This is quite a short book, and whilst sections of it did make me laugh (the umbrella fishing incident is particularly entertaining), some parts of it I found rather dull. However, it was a pleasant way to pass a couple of hours, and would probably be much more humorous to others. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews